This is a very cute, hip eatery that specializes in veggie tacos. Now I admit; I love me some pork belly tacos, or pretty much anything with meat in it. But hold on - they have a roster that will leave you full, even if you are a self-professed carnivore. I got a trio of different options and loved every one of them. The prices are reasonable (for this area) as well. I also like the space. It was bright and spacious, with almost an independent coffee shop vibe. If I needed to telework, I could see myself hanging here (but eating tacos instead of sipping lattes). Put away any misconceptions about 'vegan' and try it. read more

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The handmade tortillas and vegetarian tacos are bursting with flavor in every bite! The tacos are peppered with spices and herbs, cheese, roasted veggies, and topped with zesty sauce that blend so well together and complement the flavors. All the tacos are unique and tasty - Braised Mushroom with feta, Creamy Kale & Potatoes, Roasted Beets with ricotta, Roasted Eggplant, Skillet Corn and Cauliflower, Lemon Garlicky Greens, Smoky Collared Greens taco, Butternut Squash with goat cheese and caramelized onions. The only taco that I'm not a big fan of is the Scrambled Egg with Black Beans. It's very bland and the eggs are cold. The new Lunch combos are great - I got the Mushroom Quesadilla with Kale Salad. The Kale Salad had a spicy kick! There's a nice large tank of complimentary ice water instead of the faucet. The hibiscus tea is refreshing and sweetened with honey. The coconut lime aqua fresca is refreshing as well and a nice summer mocktail. I've had the blueberry margharita slushie at the Gtown location and really enjoyed it. Always excited to come back and it's become a staple of my office go-to lunch hot spots! read more

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The restaurant was clean and the staff were friendly. The restrooms were also clean. My mom and I both had tacos. We both had amthe braised mushroom taco and I also had the scrambled egg and black bean taco. They were both delicious! I also had the green rice and it was fantastic. It was great for my mom who is vegan. I'm not vegan nor a vegetarian but it was still a great experience. read more

Chaia - Scrambled egg and black mean taco, braised mushroom taco and green rice. - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Absolutely delightful spot!! Whether you're gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or none of the above, Chaia is a must-try! They have the most delightful tacos, with the most flavorful and fun combos of veggies. I usually opt for a taco trio, but, from there, the decision-making starts to get a bit challenging -- they have such a fun assortment of tacos, so it's nearly impossible to settle on just three! - Their creamy kale and potato is a classic for a reason, with a great richness from the cream / pepper jack and heartiness from the potato. They also top the taco with a bit of salsa verde and pickled onions, the perfect little vinegary / peppery bite to cut through the rest of the taco. - The braised mushroom and smoky collard green tacos are equally delicious, and they definitely pack a deep earthy, umami and smoky flavor. They're extremely mushroom / collard green-forward, so I'd only recommend these if you're a huge fan of either vegetable. They're both a bit on the lighter side, so they're the perfect way to balance out a heartier taco like the creamy kale and potato or sweet potato hash. - Chaia's sweet potato hash has to be one of my favorite tacos; not only are the sweet potatoes perfectly cooked, with a nice, soft interior and crispy outer shell, but they have a great smokiness from the chipotle peppers that balance out the slight zing from the feta and arugula pepita salsa. Similarly, the roasted butternut squash taco is incredible, with a great hearty yet somehow light-ish base from the squash and layers of flavor from the goat cheese, caramelized onions, chipotle yogurt, and mint. - If pure veggies aren't your thing or if you're looking for a bit more protein, the scrambled egg and black bean taco is calling your name! It's a wonderful taco, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and has a wonderful creaminess from the queso fresco, freshness from the cilantro and salsa, and tiny hit of heat from the jalapeno. I usually need to get at least one of these guys in my trio to create a balanced meal, but it absolutely deserves to be a go-to read more

Chaia - Brussels sprouts quesadilla - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been here before for a Yelp event quite some time ago now, but haven't been back. Clocking in some steps on my lunch break, I ran into Chaia. I'm so glad to see this business is still here and thriving. At the time, DC seemed a bit inundated with tacos after the cupcake craze... But guess who's here for tacos and plant based options now? Who always thinks it's tacomagarita o'clock? *Raises hand* Everything was a great combination of flavors and textures. The coconut based drink I had was tasty. I can't recall each taco name, but just know that I chose options with my fingers crossed and my taste buds were elated. I'll be returning soon! read more

Chaia - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Taco trio is a good deal, and the tacos can be made vegan if you want that. Major kudos for everything (utensils, cups, bowls, etc) being compostable. I tried: - Braised mushroom - lots of savory mushrooms, yum yum! Could've lived without the feta cheese, but that's just my personal preference. - Creamy kale & potato - really juicy and tasty. Contrary to what I thought, the kale was blended in a creamy sauce (not in leaf "salad" form), but it was still great. - Sautéed green cabbage - vinegary, bold, and refreshing. Also tried Roasted acorn squash and Chipotle sweet potato hash. They were good but paled in comparison (just weaker/blander in flavor) to the first three I mentioned above. - Winter white soup - thick, warm, creamy, and tasty. read more

Not happy. Rates best gluten free taco I used a delivery app to order it. They accepted the order which is 7 pm and they canceled the order for no reason 10 minutes after accepting it. I have seen this before when staff is trying to close early or super busy but not cool when I paid waited 60% of the forecasted time and they cancel it read more

CHINATOWN, Washington DC - A swell fast-casual vegetarian taco joint. The missus and I went there on a Saturday, 1245ish. Some customers, but plenty of available seating. Very clean and bright. I got the sweet potato nachos ($9.75) and the mushroom quesadilla ($5.95). Pretty good nachos, with cubes of roasted sweet potato as a topping. The mushroom quesadilla was simple but done well. Would definitely get the nachos again. She got the taco trio ($13.45) of a kale & potato taco, braised mushroom taco and acorn squash taco. All three were interesting flavor and texture and color combinations, and all three were tasty. The tortilla held up well. Pro tip: little cups of water are free if you don't want a drink. As greens, we like that they compost. Would definitely partake again. read more

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Yummy vegetarian food! What you order is what you get (complimentary). Reasonably priced and food atmosphere. Fun to try a variety of tacos on the first visit, but be careful with the eggplant one if texture bothers you! read more

Chaia - (From left) Roasted Eggplant, Chipotle Sweet Potato Hash Taco, Braised Mushroom Taco - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Super healthy vegan/vegetarian/GF optional taco spot that did not disappoint! The ingredients were fresh and delicious! The black beans were hands down the BEST that I've ever had in my life! I wish I could buy them by the pint! So good! My braised Mushroom taco had a little heat which complimented it perfectly. The scrambled egg & black bean taco was just as tasty! The chips and salsa was good. Had a kick there, too. I ended up getting the combo with two tacos and a side of chips and salsa, which was more than enough. I did get the hibiscus tea and it was refreshing! Prices were a bit on the higher end but it is a healthier spot, too. If you want fresh, quality ingredients these days, you kind of expect it. This, Im not complaining at all and will definitely be returning soon. The creamed potatoes looked divine. That will be on my return list for sure! The customer service was great. They were friendly and helpful. There is an ample amount of sitting inside and even a couple of cute couches to lounge on. They have a few adult beverages, too. I can see those couches being beneficial for that alone. Haha. read more

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Ordered ahead for a work lunch and it did not disappoint!! The vegetarian flavors were amazing and the three taco combo + agua fresca was very filling. The restaurant inside is beautiful and has large windows perfect for natural light. read more

Happy to see another location easier to access via metro vs going all the way to Georgetown. This is a larger location with more sit down space. Order at the kiosk and your name will be called when the order is ready. The $4.95 tacos are tiny. I see why people do 3 to feel full. Good vegetarian taco but wish they had some bean or tofu options. Also, no one by the kiosk if you have a question about ordering or food substitutes. They have restrooms. read more

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Amazing vegetarian and vegan tacos. Fast service and ample seating. Prices are very reasonable too. The selection changes by season so we look forward to returning. read more

I fell in love... with a Mexican restaurant. Vegan heaven. *queue Jolene by Dolly Parton* Your beauty is beyond compare With melty cheese on vegan enchiladas With crispy chips and dips of habanero kick Your margarita is a breath of fire Your caneta is sweet like summer rain And I cannot compete with you Chaia read more

The food is so delicious! I am so happy to see plentiful vegetarian and vegan options. The service was smooth, quick, and easy. I got all three tacos adapted for vegan and they used vegan cheese as well! And the eatery has a nice, relaxing vibe, it is a wonderful spot to catch up with friends in a quiet, relaxing environment. I hope to be back again soon! read more

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My friend and I were looking for some tacos for Cinco De Mayo and saw Chaia - it was a 10/10 experience! The entire menu is vegetarian, and items can be made vegan upon request. When you walk in you can order at the kiosk, or you can seat yourself and order from your phone. They will call your name when it's ready - and it's decently fast service. There is a good amount of seating and everyone is super nice! My friend and I got the nachos to start with and if you're checking out Chaia - you MUST try the sweet potato nachos, simply amazing!! We also got the braised mushroom, roasted asparagus & edamame and citrus-roasted beet tacos which were all amazing. My favorite was the asparagus and edamame! They also have vegan cheese available for no upcharge, which I thought was very nice and it tasted ok - not my favorite, but was still good. They have a dessert option that is vegan and gluten free, which we thought was very nice - we did not get to try that this time, but will definitely be coming again! Highly recommend checking out Chaia. read more

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Mmm, I love Chaia! It used to be a regular stop while I was in town (near Georgetown). Glad they opened across town as I visit this area more frequently. So, tacos... They're not your typical tacos - they're better! And they are vegan/vegetarian - no meat (or that crappy meat-substitute junk). Chaia tacos are flavorful, filling and just delicious! Not sure I could pick a favorite and I always order a trio - each different, each delicious. This is an easy one for me - 5 stars! Did I mention I love Chaia? :) read more

Great deal for 3 tacos! Each one I got was super fresh tasting; favorite was definitely the scrambled egg and black bean. Wouldn't recommend the drinks though. read more

Service: 0/5 Going to this restaurant in person is like ordering through Uber Eats. There is basically zero personal attention. You walk in and no one greets you. Standing around I finally saw the small sign that tells you to go find a seat and scan the QR code for the menu. Then sat for almost 20 minutes trying to figure out what to order. No one came out to ask if I needed any help or to make recommendations. I did go up to the counter to ask why the prices on the menu board near the door don't match either the website or the computer ordering screen they have set-up up by the grill. They advised the board isn't accurate. Course they want you to pay the higher amount ... Food: 3/5 Very fresh but there are no meat options. And the portions left me needing an entire order of 2-3 more tacos to feel full. This would have been $28 for dinner at a place that doesn't justify this. After reading about 20 reviews I went with 2 of the squash and 1 kale & potato. The squash was spicier than expected. Flavor was pretty good and the ingredients are very fresh. The taco shells stayed together and were stuffed, just not enough with three. My friend went with two quesadillas. There wasn't enough flavor and neither sauce was good (salsa better of the two). The cheese was good but wasn't stuffed enough so it was mostly shells. Drink: Tried green tea. For $4 this was a ridiculously high price for a small cup filled heavy with ice and no refill. Was also not sweet enough and when requested they have no sugar to add. They gave us a plastic container with some honey that really didn't mix well with cold tea. A huge disappointment at $4. Ambiance: 2/5 No one wiping tables so had to clean off the one we used before sitting down. Very bright. Can be a little loud when full of people. Chairs are a mix of cushion seats on one side and light aluminum hard chairs on the other. Some cute decorations but some live plants are dying and wonder if they have anyone assigned to water and clear dead parts. At this price point and service level I don't recommend this place. Maybe if you're a vegan this would be better... read more

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Great modern atmosphere and imaginative tasty food near downtown Chinatown and National Portrait Gallery. Lovely food and service. Good prices. I look forward to returning. read more

Chaia - Interior - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I stopped here for lunch with some coworkers. They said tacos, I said yes, had no idea it was vegetarian. I was a little concerned initially given the price ($13 for 3 tacos is not unreasonable, but not a screaming deal). Anyways, we ordered from the kiosk and waited for our food. Took only about 5 min and was well packed up to take back to our office to enjoy. These tacos were great! Not spicy, but full of flavor and lots of great options. I think my favorite was the butternut squash, closely followed by the sweet potato. The kale ones were not bad, but not nearly as tasty as the other two. read more

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Ever since I discovered this place, I have not been able to stop ordering from here! The food is so delicious. I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but the number one selling point for me is that 90% of their menu items are NOT cooked with seed oils! It is so hard to find a great place that ONLY uses extra virgin olive oil. I usually get the mushroom quesadilla and the Brussel sprout quesadilla since they're small, I get both. The prices are great, the food is always hot, and the ingredients are all natural. Thank you, Chaia for not using dangerous and inflammatory seed oils in your food - I wish more establishments would get on board! read more

I had high hopes for this vegetarian taco chain and was sadly very let down. This location in Chinatown is certainly very clean and spacious, but the food sadly just was not very good. I ordered the taco trio. The braised mushroom taco was dry, and the tortilla fell apart very early on into the eating process. The potato and kale taco had soggy and mushy potatoes, despite the crispness that they were aiming for. And the eggplant taco just wasn't up to par. It was mushy and bland. I was also let down by the cookie. At $3.25, it's a big price to pay for such a small and sadly flavorless cookie. The texture is far too crumbly as well. One very bright spot: the tahini black bean dip. I could eat spoonfuls of it! I love the concept of this restaurant chain, and I would certainly try it again after large structural changes are made. Sadly, in its current state, I just cannot recommend it. read more

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Very tasty, all vegetarian (options to make vegan) nachos, quesadillas, and tacos! Had the sweet potato nachos - thought I would miss the meat or miss something but it was filling, delicious and price point is $10 for the sweet potato nachos - decent for the price. Hard to get a full lunch for under $20 but doable. I didn't get to try any of the sides but the nachos had everything on them - get them!!! The brownie was RICHHHHHHHHHH for vegan and gluten free - still not convinced it's worth $6/$7 but to make it better - give me a scoop of ice cream with the brownie or Horchata Ice milk and it would be worth $8. Ironically, Gloria and Emilio Estefan were there today and they love this restaurant!! For vegetarian and still semi affordable - it's a solid option. The ambiance is open and airy - feels like you're somewhere else which is nice. Service was great - very nice cashier and very nice staff with big smiles with your food ready with love. Highly recommend! read more

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Great tacos, all vegetarian, a little pricy, but good service. Walked in and it was 80 degrees inside tho... what was up with that?! read more

Chaia - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I am not vegan but I love having the tacos here and regularly visited when I lived in the neighborhood. This is one of my favorite places in the Chinatown/Gallery Place. The ingredients taste so delicious, the tacos are loaded with filling, and everything combines together super well. I'd strongly recommend the creamy kale and braised mushroom. Their black bean and green rice sides are also delicious - both the beans and rice are well cooked and seasoned to perfection. The food also reheats very well - so leftovers still taste delicious. It's a fast casual place and they serve your food very quickly. The interior is nice: it's very clean and high tech (you can order on the tablets). There is an outdoor patio area for the summer. Again, I am not vegan or vegetarian but these were still some of the best tacos I've had in DC. I would strong recommend to everyone who visits town. read more

My wife is a gluten free Vegetarian and my son loves potato tacos. Wow . This satisfied them both ! The sweet potato taco was my favorite and the gluten free cookie was really good. We all enjoyed our food. I would highly recommend this, especially if you are tired of the overdone bean burrito. read more

Chaia - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

IM NOT VEGAN! and I always love the Tacos here One of my top choices in the dc area. Tips: My top choices 1) kale 2) mushroom 3) sweet potato The Kale has mostly potatoes (still my top choice); say something in advance or check before you leave. The portion size may vary wildly (in a good way) depending on who's preparing Parking is nuts on this street; take the 1st available and walk Order at the Kiosk, there is usually no one at the register read more

Comfortable, clean atmosphere. You order and pay for everything on their tablet. A high tech fast food place, basically. Staff were friendly and food was made fast. All vegetarian here. Nothing outstanding about any of the tacos. Good flavors, fair price for a quick bite. read more

Chaia - Taco TRIO: Creamy Kale & Potato, Scrambled Egg & Black Bean, Chipotle Sweet Potato Hash...I think - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

a long day of moving-in called for @chaiatacos delivery to fuel me back up, I got the taco trio -CREAMY KALE & POTATO pepperjack, salsa verde & pickled red onion -CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATO HASH feta, arugula pepita salsa & cilantro -ROASTED EGGPLANT goat cheese, salsa de jalapeño crudo & sorrel All 3 were great plant-based taco options in DC! read more

Chaia - CREAMY KALE & POTATO, CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATO HASH, ROASTED EGGPLANT - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food was amazing!!! Everything was light & fresh! We enjoyed the vegetarian dishes with full flavor! read more

Chaia - Sweet potato nachos and taco trio - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This was a surprise hit - i LOVE chaia tacos. IMO the tacos are the best offering, and not all flavors are made equally. But the Chipotle Sweet Potato Hash and the Scrambled Egg & Black Bean are actually to die for. This is a great quick service place in this area, and helps accommodate some dietary issues (gluten free, vegetarian) that is still absolutely delicious for those without those restrictions. Also on toogoodtogo which is a big plus! read more

Chaia - Taco TRIO - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I am not a vegetarian nor do I have to scribe to dietary restrictions. My wife and I were meeting a friend from out of town and she recommended this place. My wife, a pescatarian, prefers vegetarian options. Everyone at dinner was absolutely blown away with how exquisite and economical our meal was. Let's start with the mixed drinks. The margaritas and Paloma were strong and delicious AND cheap! (By DC standards) The food was AMAZING. Weeks later I am still craving some of the items I had there. The food items were filling and flavor profiles were savory. I wish I could have eat more than I could handle. This place is a highly recommendable establishment. read more

Chaia - Cheese Quesadilla - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This food was phenomenal! It was so nice to have such a good/healthy selection that didn't include meat and could be made vegan or GF. The teas were also super yummy. The restaurant was very clean and the staff were friendly! read more

Tasty! A colleague wanted to get some tacos and as we were in a the neighborhood nearby for an event, we headed there for a lunch visit. On the way there, he said, "Oh, they're just vegetarian." Slightly disappointed, but willing to give it a go, we trudged on. So glad we did! The tacos are delicious, and I highly recommend the chips with black bean dip. Their drinks are tasty too! read more

Chaia - Tacos Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was going to give 3 stars due to the wait time... but maybe it doesn't usually take this long. We ordered in the restaurant at about 7:30pm, and there weren't many people inside, but it took us an hour to get our food... We stumble upon this place not knowing it was vegetarian until we saw the menu was not your normal tacos/quesadillas/enchiladas menu. I won't lie but we were about to leave because we weren't Vegetarians. We decided to give it a try since we were already here, and I was so glad we did. We ordered Mushroom Quesadilla, Cheese Quesadilla, Braised Mushroom Enchiladas, and Black Bean Enchiladas. They did not disappoint us! They came out hot and crispy with the cheese melting out. Mmmm, it was tasty. I would definitely come back if parking in DC wasn't such a pain. T_T read more

Looking for a fulfilling vegetarian/vegan meal? This is definitely the place! Sleek, boho vibes. Loved the inside and of course I had to take multiple pictures. They are currently cashless with a self help ordering kiosk, which I loved, and we were still greeted as we entered. Super sweet employees that know how to converse with their customers. There's about 3 outside tables with a lot of seating inside. I enjoyed the potato tacos and their pineapple sierra cocktail definitely had a kick! Wasn't a fan of the tortillas, they might've tasted better if warmed or toasted. I actually just ate the mix of my 3 tacos and it was aaaaaamazing. read more

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Happily surprised at how good the food was. Did not really think much of the place walking in. You order on their iPad and then just wait. Only a couple of people in there, so we didn't wait long. Food was really good for a fast casual place. Was expecting more generic blandness like a major chain, but the three of us ordered different things and walked away really happy. read more

I love chaia - it's easy to order with the kiosk, and their food always tastes great and fresh. The service is very quick too. If you're going to sit inside, the ambiance is very cute & boho/beachy. It is right around the corner from my office so my favorite thing is the habanero pelican dip + chips for a snack! My only criticism would be that It's just a tad expensive. read more

Not my first visit but this time it was exceptional. Visited Chaia before a Sunday matinee at the Shakespeare Theatre in December. It wasn't crowded. Nice and warm inside on a very cold day. My daughter and I both got a trio of tacos. Hot, well spiced, good amount of fillings. Excellent! I should have expressed my thanks and appreciation to the staff in person. I regret that I didn't. It was all so yummy! A not-to-heavy lunch before the play. read more